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A CALL TO ACTION:

Creating A Flight Plan For California - Dan Evans and Geoff Geupel

This is a Call to Action - if we are to succeed in our efforts to protect
and enhance migratory birds, we must create a plan that focuses our energy
and is supported by many. Our plan must integrate both local and statewide
activities and priorities with the best information and scientific data
available. If we can develop clear goals we can effectively channel our
resources to achieve more than the sum of our individual actions.

We have come a long way since 1990, when the Partners In Flight (PIF)
program was originally launched to bring state, federal, and private groups
together to stop the decline of migratory birds. PIF created a broad coalition
of conservationists, researchers, teachers, land managers, and the general
public. To date, more than 90 organizations have joined forces. Our partnership
has even spread to include Canada and Latin America.

In an effort to coordinate and support activities across the country,
a national perspective emerged. "The Flight Plan" was drawn for a structured
set of objectives and actions (see side-bar). Recognizing that most actions
actually occur at a local and statewide level, the Flight Plan was created
to direct activities and facilitate the exchange of information between
habitats or areas with similar problems. More importantly, creation of
a national plan helps assure that staff and financial resources from government
agencies will be allocated to the highest priority areas. Considering the
scope and variety of issues that negatively impact migratory birds, a well
coordinated large scale effort is required to achieve a significant and
lasting impact.

The California PIF program was initiated in 1993 to define and address
the key bird conservation issues in our state. Being blessed with a great
diversity of habitats, from coastal dunes to montane meadows and forests,
California supports an incredible diversity of birds. Unfortunately, with
our large and expanding population, we also face an alarming array of environmental
problems.

The statewide PIF group's first actions were to define the critical
habitat types that were most threatened in our state. Riparian habitat,
the deciduous willow, alder, and cottonwood forests that line our rivers
and streams, was clearly a top priority (see Flight Log #2, Fall 1995).
This habitat supports one of the highest diversities of songbirds, as well
as an extremely high level of productivity. Yet over 90% of riparian areas
have been lost to development, agriculture, and stream channelization.
Oak woodlands were identified as a second priority. Rapid suburban expansion
is a major threat and intensive grazing often prevents regeneration of
young trees, resulting in less productive older stands. Following riparian
and oak woodland habitats, other habitats and areas of high priority include
grasslands, coastal scrub, mixed conifer forests and the entire Sierra
Nevada ecosystem.

Recognizing the importance of riparian habitat, and the challenges of
a large and diverse state, a coalition of 14 organizations was formed to
protect, restore, and manage riparian areas throughout California. Entitled
the Riparian Habitat Joint Venture (RHJV), the effort was modeled after
the highly successful Central Valley Habitat Joint Venture, which was established
to increase wetland acreage and waterfowl populations. The RHJV now consists
of 16 organizations, with more pending.

To date, the Riparian Joint Venture has been our largest PIF success.
A Technical Committee of the RHJV meets regularly to coordinate activities
and share information. Representatives are actively involved with riparian
related projects statewide. Numerous presentations have been given throughout
the state on the value of riparian habitat, including presentations to
the California Biodiversity Council, which supports the RHJV. An information
brochure, slide show, and poster are also in preparation. Four flagship
projects have been selected from many on-going efforts to promote inter-agency
cooperation and to highlight large-scale riparian protections efforts (see
Flight Log #3, Spring 1996). In response to the high priority given to
acquiring new riparian areas, the Wildlife Conservation Board is developing
a system to evaluate and rank restoration and acquisition projects. The
Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO) is developing a project to rank riparian
areas based on vegetation characteristics and other quantifiable variables
directly related to avian diversity and productivity. PRBO is also working
with The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to
document the benefits of flooding and adjacent agricultural lands. National
Audubon Society and the American Bird Conservancy have launched the Important
Bird Area program to identify and register significant areas for birds,
including riparian. By cataloguing key sites throughout the state, it will
be easier to assure their enhancement and protection.

While PIF has made significant progress and changes are occurring, much
remains to be done. Hence, this Call to Action. Following the four steps
laid out by the national "Flight Plan" concept, in California we have completed
step 1 - identified habitats, ecoregions, and species most in need of conservation
(see Flight Log 2). The next step involves establishing bird populations
and habitat objectives: How many individuals and how many acres of habitat
must be protected, restored, and better managed to support reasonable and
stable populations? To provide a sound answer to this complicated question
we need to consider the following for each priority species: historical
range and abundance (if known), current range, status and health of existing
populations, habitat requirements and preferences, minimum patch size of
preferred habitat and distance between patches, and habitat and landscape
features that influence (both positively and negatively) a species' occurrence
and viability. In the future we must devise new activities to meet the
above population and habitat objectives then implement specific, on the
ground activities.

Once these conservation goals are established, the real challenge will
begin. Successful protection of bird populations requires conserving and
enhancing extensive areas - a Call to Action that requires wide scale participation
by private landowners in addition to state and federal lands. We are accumulating
the best scientific information available (see "Filing Our Flight Plan"
in this issue) to set clear habitat goals, but ultimately our success depends
on the widest possible involvement of all land owners - public and private.
Our success with riparian birds protection creates the model to conserve
and restore other populations and priority habitats essential for birds.
Please do what you can to get involved in this process.

The Flight Plan's Objectives

A National PIF Initiative

Conservation when it should be done - when common birds are still common.
Before species become endangered.

Conservation based on sound science and good information.

Conservation that stresses both healthy ecosystems and management of
natural resources.

Local and timely conservation within the context of large-scale objectives
and long term plans.

Conservation of habitats in breeding, migration, and wintering areas.

An informed constituency of people concerned about bird conservation.

Creation of partnerships that foster voluntary cooperation among public
and private landowners .

Filing Our Flight Plan

Scope Of Work - Conservation goals for California's riparian obligate species
(see list at end) are required to establish priorities, with a strong technical
foundation, to direct the protection, enhancement and restoration of riparian
habitat for birds throughout California. We propose to define the bird
population and habitat requirements for 14 of California's riparian obligate
species. This information will be used to set measurable habitat restoration
and protection goals for riparian bird communities through the Riparian
Habitat Joint Venture's Implementation Plan. These habitat priorities are
required to formulate measurable goals for the Riparian Habitat Joint Venture's
Implementation Plan.

Proposed Process: To establish goals for riparian communities we propose
the following process: At the next CA-PIF meeting (scheduled for July 18th
and 19th) we invite anyone with any interest in a priority species to attend
or let their ideas be known. At the meeting we will identify a person for
each species who will be assigned the task of gathering and compiling the
6 pieces of information outlined below. These people will convene at the
October PIF meeting in Sacramento to: 1) Identify priority sites within
each bioregion that contain the best habitat for the maximum number of
species. These areas would be the highest priority for conservation and
serve as source population centers. 2) Identify overlapping distributions
and habitat requirements of target species to help prioritize habitat protection
and restoration goals. 3) Identify information gaps required to document
the distribution and habitat preferences of the target species, compare
notes, overlay maps, and develop comprehensive community-wide plans as
to how many acres and birds in each bioregion are to be targeted for conservation.

2. Maps of current distribution and information on current status, density
and health throughout California, wherever information is available. Maps
should show distribution by the bioregions established by the California
Biodiversity Council. These bioregions correspond to the Riparian Habitat
Joint Venture's Regional Working Committees.

4. Average territory size and minimum patch size required for a breeding
population.

5. Best management practices.

6. Factors influencing a species occurrence and viability.

7. Scientific references.

It is understood that information will often be incomplete or nonexistent.
The initial goal is to develop general reference information for comparison
to other species based on the best available information.

List of Riparian Obligate Species - Conservation Priorities Conservation
goals should be developed for the following 14 riparian obligate species,
most of which are listed as species of special concern or are on the state
endangered list. Additional species of importance should be added as they
are identified.

Riparian Habitat Joint
Venture Update

Marti Kie, California RHJV coordinator

In our March meeting, the Riparian Habitat Joint Venture (RHJV) Technical
Committee decided to tighten our belts and take on the challenge of a quantifiable
riparian restoration goal. Our goal is to double the existing riparian
habitat which is providing effective habitat for resident and migratory
landbirds, and to enhance 25% of the habitat which is now considered degraded.

We plan on achieving this goal by the year 2008. We plan on implementing
a layered strategy in order to achieve the larger, statewide goal. The
strategy begins with the development of conservation plans for the riparian
obligate species that the RHJV has determined are our highest priority.
The conservation plans will be written by a cadre of species and habitat
experts, detailing the best information we have to date on each of our
priority species. The plans will include information on where populations
are extinct, where they have recently been lost, and where they might easily
be re-established. Habitat parameters necessary for successful breeding
will be delineated and management strategies will be established.

These plans and their accompanying maps will then be reviewed by our
regional working committee members, other scientists and any other interested
persons. The revised information will then be used by our regional working
committees to develop priority sites for restoration, acquisition and enhancement.
The RHJV will work with established partnerships, and public and private
landowners to develop, fund and implement a network of functional riparian
corridors throughout the state.

"Our goal is to double the existing riparian habitat
which is providing effective habitat for resident and migratory land birds,
and to enhance 25% of the habitat which is now considered degraded."

Proper
Functioning Condition...A Very Useful Tool

Mini Nagendran, California Partners in Flight co-Chair

A 4 hour workshop teaching a method for evaluating "Proper Functioning
Condition" of riparian habitat (PFC) was held on April 22 at UC-Davis.
"Riparian-wetland areas are functioning properly when adequate vegetation,
landform, or large woody debris is present to dissipate stream energy associated
with high water flows, thereby reducing erosion and improving water quality;
filter sediment, capture bedload, and aid floodplain development; improve
flood- water retention and ground-water recharge; develop root masses that
stabilize stream banks against cutting action; develop diverse ponding
and channel characteristics to provide the habitat and the water depth,
duration, and temperature necessary for fish production, waterfowl breeding,
and other uses; support greater biodiversity."

Professionals from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) (the agency primarily
responsible for developing the method), provided an interactive lecture
session to a room packed with professionals from governmental agencies,
universities, and non-governmental organizations (the latter 2 were under-represented).
The group of professionals that conducted the workshop is involved with
the daunting task of restoring "proper functionality" of streams, creeks,
rivers, and numerous other wetland types on BLM lands. Under the BLM's
Riparian-Wetland Initiative for the 1990's, the mandate is "...to restore
and maintain riparian-wetland areas so that 75% or more are in proper functioning
condition (PFC) by 1997. The overall objective is to achieve an advanced
ecological status, except where resource objectives, including PFC, would
require an earlier successional stage, thus providing the widest variety
of vegetation and habitat for wildlife, fish and watershed protection."

Following the UC-Davis session, there was a 2 day workshop on May 6
and 7. May 6 was a day of interactive lectures to familiarize the attendees
with the concepts and terms involved in PFC assessment. This was a fairly
thorough review of the manual TR 1737-9 1993: Riparian Area Management;
Process for Assessing Proper Functioning Condition (quoted in this article).
On May 7 the class carried out actual field assessments along Bear Creek
and Cache Creek in Yolo County. There were about thirty professionals who
attended this 2-day course, and for the site evaluation part the class
divided into 6 smaller interdisciplinary teams. We walked the stream reaches
while evaluating them, which is critical to assessing PFC. The evaluation
form is 2 pages. Page 1 is comprised of 17 main questions that are divided
into the following categories: (1) Hydrologic (5 questions), (2) Vegetative
(7 questions), and (3) Soils-Erosion Deposition (5 questions). On page
2 one notes remarks and summary determination.

The team that developed this course has done well to create a consistent
and common vocabulary. By reading the manual and taking the 2-day course
alone one will not become an expert, but the course clearly provides a
high level of appreciation for the degree of interdisciplinary experience
necessary to understand the physical components in the functioning status
of riparian-wetland areas. To assess PFC requires expertise in not only
wildlife, but geology and soil, vegetation, and hydrology.

How does PFC play into California Partners in Flight and California
Riparian Habitat Joint Venture? Issues effecting riparian habitat are obviously
not limited to BLM lands! Now that the CRHJV has set out to "double California's
riparian habitat, and restore and enhance 25% of degraded riparian habitat
by 2008," PFC could help immensely in accomplishing such a critical task
more efficiently. The CRHJV should have several interdisciplinary PFC teams,
perhaps on a bioregional basis, that would evaluate the physical attributes
and functioning conditions of riparian areas in order to identify those
that would most benefit from restoration.

I encourage all those involved in riparian-wetland restoration efforts
to attend the PFC course. The number of openings is limited, but perhaps
the instructors would consider offering more sessions. The following is
a list of 2-day workshops to be held at several locations in California:
June 4, 5, Alturas (coordinator Jim Decker, BLM, 916-979-2830); June 9,
10, Stanislaus (coordinator Polly Hays, USFWS, 415-705-2514); July 8, 9,
Quincy (coordinator Steve Bishop, USFS, 415-705-1817); S. Sierra, Aug.
TBA (coordinator Ken Tate, UC-Davis 916-754-8988). Water sustains life
on earth. Yet, this support system is one that is taken for granted, over-extended
and abused. The impact of such actions by humans has resulted in continued
loss of biodiversity as well as created serious problems for humans. Here
are some eloquent thoughts from Jeffrey F. Mount's book, California Rivers
and Streams, "...we tend to view rivers as static channels that simply
convey water and house fish. When floods come and rivers go about the business
of transporting runoff and sediment and sculpting the landscape, we seem
genuinely surprised at the results...were we simply to have paid more attention
to rivers as dynamic geomorphic systems that are easier to work with, rather
than against, we might have spared ourselves much of the calamity. It is
folly, but it is indicative of the way we view this state's rivers..."
The oldest of California's rivers are a little less than 1 billion years
old and until the last 2 hundred years these rivers essentially flowed
unencumbered. Since the early 1800's these rivers have been subjected to
impacts from mining, logging, grazing, agriculture, dams, levees and ditches,
and urbanization--in the last 2 hundred years humankind's actions within
the state of California alone have resembled a geologic force! To attempt
to stem the loss of biodiversity it is going to take an INTERDISCIPLINARY
approach.

National
Fish & Wildlife Foundation Opens California Office

Greg Elliott

The National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, a congressionally chartered
private non-profit conservation organization known in the bird world primarily
for its role in helping to create and support Partners in Flight, has opened
a southwestern regional office in Sacramento, California. The Foundation
has had a 10-year love affair with California, resulting in over $40 million
worth of conservation investments in the state since grant-making began
in 1986. The California office will be the primary liaison for the Foundation's
programs and grantees in California, Arizona, Nevada and northern Oregon.
The western regional office mission is to increase the strategic focus
of the Foundation's grant-making program in the southwest.

Objectives include:

Identify opportunities and initiate action to address the most pressing
conservation issues in the states of California, Nevada, Arizona, and southern
Oregon.

Propose regional-level public-private partnerships that coalesce representatives
from disparate interests to work together on resource problems of common
concern with special interest in local projects that protect and restore
endangered or declining species.

Promote innovative conservation solutions through the funding of demonstration
projects, and established organizations with a proven track record of success.

Build the capacity of young, small or grassroots organizations by supporting
new partnerships and small-scale projects.

Identify opportunities for NFWF to assist in floodplain protection programs
as part of the CA flood response effort.

Provide constructive linkages between the California and western region
constituencies and federal governmental agencies.

Increase the level of service to Foundation grantees in California, Nevada,
Arizona and southern Oregon.

Revegetation
Project At McClellan Ranch Park

Patricia Peterson

Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS) headquarters are located at
McClellan Ranch Park which is an urban preserve owned and operated by the
City of Cupertino. Stevens Creek runs along the perimeter of McClellan
Ranch and is a favorite birding site for many avid birders. Even though
the creek is one of the South Bay's most natural creeks, certain aggressive
escaped exotic plant species have been identified here and measures are
being taken to eradicate these plants.

With the support of the City of Cupertino, SCVAS has initiated an environmental
education/revegetation program at the Ranch. Over the last three years,
student volunteers from the local elementary schools and high schools have
been removing escaped exotics, such as German ivy, from the edges of Stevens
Creek at the Ranch and replanting with native riparian vegetation. While
enhancing the creekside habitat, students learn about the local ecology
and the human impact on natural resources. They capture and identify aquatic
insects which can be used as indicators to determine the health of the
creek. Additionally, they conduct water quality tests, and determine soil
types. A native plant garden is also maintained at the site.

On Sundays at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, the students arrive at McClellan
Ranch and for the next 3 hours participate in applied field ecology sessions
facilitated by SCVAS. These student volunteers are members of ecology clubs,
interact clubs, scouting troops and health classes from the local community.
It is important to recognize these young people and promote their enthusiasm.
The habitat enhancement at McClellan Ranch could not be possible if it
were not for these dedicated volunteers who continue to give of their time
to better the environment for wildlife who depend on it.

Least Bell's Vireo
Survival And Recovery

Jim Greaves, Wildlife Photographer/Consultant

Eleven years after FWS listing as Endangered, the Least Bell's Vireo Recovery
Plan remains under internal review. Meanwhile, protection of habitat is
at critical stage. State-wide, populations have grown at a phenomenal rate.
Yet, 85% of the Santa Clara River (Ventura County) population breeds in
areas without Critical Habitat designation; protection a matter of luck,
not planning. Potential pathways for return for Central Valley locations
are still threatened-especially in Los Angeles and Ventura counties where
riparian habitat continues to be destroyed, and flood control measures
continue to be implemented.

Cowbird control has helped LBV increase on the Santa Clara River (SCR)
in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. In 1996, a pair raised young at a
site near Interstate-5, an area unoccupied during the decade since a 1986
sighting earned that area Critical Habitat status. Preliminary 1997 surveys
indicate another 20+ percent increase.

In 1991, LBV nests found with eggs along the Santa Clara River (SCR)
had cowbird eggs; nearly every pair was parasitized at least once. In an
earlier study in the Los Padres National Forest (LPNF) (Santa Barbara Co),
I found some pairs parasitized numerous times per season. In 1989, cowbird
control began there; this resulted in fewer nests, fewer nests wasted,
and increased productivity. In 1991, cowbird control began on the SCR.
Around Fillmore Fish Hatchery, Timber Canyon, and Saticoy, parasitism fell
to less than 10%, with none detected since 1993. In 1996, the 20 1992 pairs
had grown to more than 42. Nearly every pair raised at least one brood,
and none were parasitized.

Hopeful signs of recovery expansion: during 1991-93 seasons, a pair
of LBV, each banded as a nestling on the Santa Margarita River (Camp Pendleton,
San Diego Co) bred successfully near Saticoy. They were together for 3
years, to age 6 for the male, and age 3 for the female. They were seen
apart in 1994. A 1992 nestling SCR female was at Arroyo Simi (Ventura Co).
A male (and possible female) from SCR nests was on the Ventura River; the
female paired with a male from a San Luis Rey River (San Diego Co) nest,
the first nesting there in 80 years. In 1995, a male banded as a nestling
on the San Luis Rey River in 1993 bred in the now gone San Diego pair's
area. The last male returned in 1996, the same year a female (banded as
a nestling in a parasitized 1993 nest in LPNF) raised 2 broods nearby.

My 2 studies of the LPNF population indicate that most young fledging
after the first week in June are dispersers. As many as 45% of early fledglings
returned at least once, while fewer than 10% of later young were found
in natal areas. This behavioral difference may be driven by earlier fledglings
establishing territories in natal area before they leave. Younger fledglings
may be less likely to know natal area, since many are quickly led from
the area as soon as they can fly, often before they are independent of
their parents. Once independent of their parents, they may be in habitat
far from where they were raised, and may never find their way back, or
need to do so.

Cowbird control from 1984-96 helped LBV increase state-wide from less
than 450 pairs to more than 1400. Camp Pendleton, which had about 50 pairs
in 1983, had nearly 900 pairs in 1996. Ironically, the once most-populous
site, LPNF, fell from 55 pairs (1982) to less than 20 pairs (1991), rising
to 30 pairs in 1993. When studies ended in 1994, there were fewer than
30 pairs. Cowbird egg and chick removal did not help much in the early
1980's. Later, high productivity at LPNF did not result in a significant
increase. One likely explanation for the delay in population expansion
at LPNF may be distance from habitat links through which expanding populations
may progress. The isolated nature of the LPNF site may make it more of
a sink than a source. That it could become an important source is indicated
by the female found in Saticoy in 1996.

BobElaine Audubon Sanctuary is 430 acres of riparian habitat in climax
stage where the plants and animal life interact in a balanced fashion with
their environment. BobElaine is a rare remnant of this once common habitat
in the Great Valley of California. This sanctuary is owned by National
Audubon Society and managed by Sacramento Audubon Society.

Since 1992 the sanctuary has suffered 2 devastating events. In September
of 1992, a huge fire swept down 7 miles of riparian habitat on BobElaine
south of Yuba City, on both sides of the river. In January 1997 the sanctuary
was again clobbered, this time by a huge flood. BobElaine is located immediately
opposite the Bear River where the Araboda flood waters were directed back
into the Feather River. Huge amounts of debris accumulated throughout the
sanctuary particularly in the outer periphery.

After the 1997 floods, several dedicated volunteers spent 2-3 weeks
with chainsaws just to gain access to the sanctuary. Of primary concern
to the management was the hundreds of trees that had been planted over
the previous 2 years in restoration efforts, to replace Fremont cottonwoods
and willow trees destroyed in the fire. Fortunately all fared well. The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had awarded the sanctuary a matching grant
for these restoration efforts.

The endangered Yellow-billed Cuckoo was seen regularly on the sanctuary
prior to the fire but not since. It is hoped with the restoration efforts
this species will eventually be enticed back. It is strongly suspected
that a pair of the threatened Swainson's Hawk has been nesting on the sanctuary
during the last 2 seasons.

Several research projects are on-going: John Rantlett runs a MAPS (Monitoring
Avian Productivity and Survivorship) station each spring and summer. Mist
netting carried out in the fall surveys the migration of neotropical migratory
birds. Point counts, area and nest searches are also conducted under the
supervision of PRBO for their study of bird populations in riparian habitats.
There are 2 Bluebird trails being monitored with information being sent
to Don Yoder of California Bluebird Recovery Program.

All work done in the sanctuary is done on a volunteer basis. Do join
us. Visitors are welcome to this riparian remnant. Contact the managers,
Jan and Bill Clark, at 916-783-8305.

Meetings And Announcements

Cowbird Research and Management: Toward Improved Understanding in Western
Landscapes: 23-25 October 1997 Red Lion Sacramento Inn, Sacramento, California.
The objectives of this conference are 1) to share the latest information on
cowbird ecology, behavior and management in the West, 2) to glean from research
in the East, Midwest and South, those principles of cowbird ecology that are
apt to be most pertinent to western landscapes and vegetation patterns, and
3) to define clear research priorities for the next 10 years that will lead
to enhanced conservation of native bird populations through management. A published,
peer-reviewed proceedings is planned.

Western Working Group Meeting: The next meeting of the Western Working
group of Partners In Flight will be in Vancouver, British Columbia, August 6-10.